Dustin Dobbs ’10
Sports Editor
Many people did not know what to expect in Staples’ State Playoff opener. Would the emotions be flying high from the FCIAC Championship? Will they play down to the lower seeded team? Who the heck is Conard High School?
It was apparent that the Wreckers did not want to disappoint a single fan in the stands, nonetheless anyone in the state.
In the 14th minute of the game quad-captain Mike White ’10 headed in a controversial goal to give the Wreckers a 1-0 lead. This got the offense going, and 22 minutes later, midfielder quad-captain Andrew McNair ’10, who was celebrating his 17th birthday, assisted teammate White for his second goal of the game.
With two minutes left in the first half White drew a penalty in the box, which awarded the Wreckers a penalty kick.
Quad-captain Alan Reiter ’10 electrified the crowd on the hill as he sunk the penalty kick, giving the Wreckers a 3-0 lead at the half.
Towards the end of the game, the Wreckers struck once again, this time from junior defender Steven Denowitz ’11 who was assisted by sophomore Alex Tonsberg ’12 on a corner kick. This ended the Wreckers offensive attack for the day, making the score 4-0 in favor of Staples.
With two minutes remaining in the game, the Chieftains of Conard snuck in a goal, preventing the Wreckers of a shutout. Staples edged the 8-6-2 Chieftains, out-shooting them 18-10.
The Wreckers will face 21st seeded Newtown High School, who defeated Ridgefield 3-0 in the opening round. The game is set for Thursday afternoon at 2 PM at Loeffler Field.
Staples has never beaten Newtown in State Tourney play, but they look to break this skid with their strong defense lead by seniors Mikey Fitzgerald ’10 and quad-captain Jack Hennessy ’10, juniors Frankie Bergonzi ’11 and Sean Gallagher ’11 and goalie Mike McCarthy ’10.